Chris Draft released

[MrOrange]

Rams Release Draft
Thursday, September 10, 2009

The St. Louis Rams have released LB Chris Draft, the team announced today.

“These decisions are never easy,” said General Manager Billy Devaney. “We thank Chris for his many contributions on and off the field. We are continually evaluating our roster and like every move we make we believe this is in the best interest of our team at this time.”

Draft, 5-11, 234 pounds, has played 10 seasons in the NFL, the last two with the Rams. Draft played in 28 games with 16 starts for the Rams, totaling 95 tackles (66 solo) on defense and 19 tackles on special teams.

Draft has played in 142 career games with 88 starts. He has registered 637 tackles (472 solo) for his career.

No word yet on who will replace him on the roster.



-----In addition to this, the following was posted on the official Rams facebook page:

Rams release LB Chris Draft. David Vobora likely to step in at SLB. Check stlouisrams.com for more information.

[HUbison]

Re: Chris Draft released

Can't say that I saw this one coming. I wonder who is replacing him.

[Nick_Weasel]

Re: Chris Draft released

The youth movement continues...

I don't think we would have released him unless DeSpags were comfortable with how our younger LBs have played, so I take this as a good sign.

[TekeRam]

Re: Chris Draft released

That's a shocker as he was projected to either be the starter at the Sam or at least the first backup at all three LB positions. I'm stunned, to tell you the truth. Rebuilding indeed!

[shower beers]

Re: Chris Draft released

Surprising as always... we're really cleaning house here. This opens up a spot on the roster though. Perhaps a WR will join us soon.

[Ramblin` Ram]

Re: Chris Draft released

whoa..did not see this one coming atall!!!
we must have a replacement in the pipeline or i will be very shocked..even with our youth movement,which i am a fan of..i cant quite understand why Draft would be cut at this time..only 3 days before the start of the new season,as i thought even if he isnt gonna start like it seemed he would have..he can cover all the linebacker spots.
i dont know quite what has happened to make this move right now..but there must be something behind it that we arent aware of at this time.

Chris Draft is on my facebook..so i will go and have a nose now,to see what i can find out..

[txramsfan]

Re: Chris Draft released

Has Vrobora stepped up?

[RamsInfiniti]

Re: Chris Draft released

Wow, truly shocking ...

Unless they have somebody coming in, this means Mr. Irrelevant himself David Vobora is the starting SLB. Vobora looked good in preseason, but never thought he'd be the starter. But I think I love the move ...

Now we've only got 4 active LB's on the squad! Weird developments at Ram's Park. In Spags we believe!

[RebelYell]

Re: Chris Draft released

And people thought Carriker was safe.

Draft was supposed to be the cheaper replacement for Pisa in the depth. I honestly don't understand this move at all. Our depth at LB was thin already, now it's microscopic thin.

[TekeRam]

Re: Chris Draft released

Has Vrobora stepped up?

He's certainly played better than the Irrelevant tag would suggest, but I don't know if he's starting quality quite yet. Apparently Spags thinks that he is though. He's cut of the same cloth as Chris Long, and I've always loved that about him, so I guess he's worked his way up to a starting job.

[Nick]

Re: Chris Draft released

Seems like strange timing to me. Draft had one of his best pro seasons in Carolina under then Panthers linebackers coach now Rams DC Ken Flajole, so it's tough to imagine that he didn't have an ally on the coaching staff. He provided experienced depth and can play all three linebacker positions. But more importantly, he was projected by everyone to be the Rams' starting strong side linebacker this weekend.

Even if the coaching staff is comfortable with Grant and Vobora, they've already ruled Grant out for the Seahawks game this weekend. So is Vobora getting the start at SLB? Or should we be waiting for another shoe to drop?

I understand the desire to get younger, but this seems like a strange time and not exactly ideal circumstances to cut bait with Chris. It would make more sense if Grant were healthy right now, but he's not. Now the Rams enter this weekend with only four linebackers - Witherspoon, Laurinaitis, and I guess Vobora to start, and Chamberlain as the sole back-up. Pretty thin, just like receiver.

[mikhal5569]

Re: Chris Draft released

WHAT? They BETTER have someone else coming in. This is a strange move indeed.

[RamsInfiniti]

Re: Chris Draft released

You cannot go into ANY game with 4 linebackers on the roster. It's suicide ...

Either they'll bring one up from the practice squad or sign one off the street ...

Or, maybe, just maybe, something BIGGER is in the works ...

[ScottD413]

Re: Chris Draft released

WOW. So we have 4 WRs and 4 LBs on the roster? I don't like this at all. Were too thin! Somebody's going to get injured and were going to be screwed

[RebelYell]

Re: Chris Draft released

Post is saying they asked him to take a pay cut early this week and he refused. If this is about money 4 days before the season starts, I'm shocked.

1 active linebacker on the roster for depth.